In a decisive move to strengthen public safety and reinforce law enforcement capacity, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre has officially reopened the Custody Suites in Castries—a long-awaited project that restores a vital element of Saint Lucia’s national security infrastructure. The facility, which had been controversially demolished on May 23, 2020, under the former United Workers Party (UWP) government, now stands fully rebuilt with eight modern holding cells designed to ease the strain on existing police stations and improve detainee management.
Prime Minister Pierre highlighted the reopening as a critical step toward justice, accountability, and restoring integrity to the system. He underscored the challenges law enforcement faced in the absence of a centralized detention space, including premature releases due to overcrowding. The Prime Minister dismissed political distractions and reaffirmed his administration’s focus on delivering results, stating that the reopening was about facts—not deflection.
Symbolically reopened on the same date the facility was demolished four years earlier, the Custody Suites project reflects a broader law enforcement development strategy by the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), which includes infrastructure upgrades such as the Vieux Fort and Babonneau Police Stations. As security demands grow and public calls for improved policing intensify, government officials say the new Custody Suites represent a timely and strategic investment in justice and national stability.
